Chemokine receptor CCR7 guides T cell exit from peripheral tissues and entry into afferent lymphatics

• Published in: Nature Immunology Vol. 6; no. 9; pp. 895 - 901
• Main Authors: Luster, Andrew D, Bromley, Shannon K, Thomas, Seddon Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Nature Publishing Group 01.09.2005
• Subjects: Animals; Asthma - chemically induced; Asthma - immunology; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - immunology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Cell Proliferation; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte - immunology; Inflammation - immunology; Lung - pathology; Lymph - immunology; Lymph - metabolism; Lymph nodes; Lymph Nodes - immunology; Lymph Nodes - metabolism; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Receptors, CCR7; Receptors, Chemokine - deficiency; Receptors, Chemokine - immunology; Receptors, Chemokine - metabolism; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Tissues
• ISSN: 1529-2908; 1529-2916; 1365-2567
• DOI: 10.1038/ni1240

T cell circulation between peripheral tissues and the lymphoid compartment is critical for immunosurveillance and host defense. However, the factors that determine whether T cells remain in peripheral tissue or return to the circulation are undefined. Here we demonstrate that the chemokine receptor CCR7 is a critical signal that determines T cell exit from peripheral tissue. Both CCR7(-) and CCR7(+) effector T cells entered mouse asthmatic lung and while CCR7(-) T cells accumulated, CCR7(+) T cells continued to migrate into afferent lymph. Delivery of both CCR7(+) and CCR7(-) T cells directly into the airways showed that only CCR7(+) T cells exited the lung and entered draining lymph nodes. Our study establishes a molecular basis for T cell exit from peripheral tissues.